Wilbur Friesenhahn

Wilbur started school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Selma at the age of 7, where he learned to speak English (his family spoke German at home). He graduated from San Antonio Vocational and Technical High school in 1949, and started working as a plumber. He joined Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 142 in 1950, and was a member for 68 years. When Wilbur retired from the plumbing trade, he continued farming and ranching. He loved to design and build tools and implements to use with the cattle and on the farm.

He was drafted into the Army in 1952 and proudly served his country at Fort Richardson, Alaska, during the Korean Conflict.

Wilbur was married for 61 years to the love of his life, Bernice. He designed and built the two homes they lived in during those years. They enjoyed many hobbies together, including bowling at Bracken 9-pin Bowling Club. They also did extensive family genealogy research together, tracing the roots of their families back to Germany, and then traveling to Germany to find the old towns from which their ancestors immigrated. He treasured the relationships he developed with his German relatives and friends. Wilbur and Bernice were members of the Comal County Genealogy Society and German Texan Heritage Society.

Wilbur loved helping others, especially through the St. Michael's Society at OLPH, which he joined at the age of 18. He spent countless hours working with St. Michael's to make OLPH Parish and School a better place. He was the Chairman of the Parish Cemetery Committee for 23 years, and made significant improvements to both OLPH Cemeteries. In 2016 Wilbur and Bernice were presented with the Lumen Gentium Award from Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller for their "Generous Service In the Life of the Church."

Wilbur helped to incorporate the City of Live Oak, Texas, and served as a Councilman for 12 years. He also served as a Director of Schertz Bank and Trust.

He was an avid hunter. He hunted for many years in South Texas, and truly enjoyed hunting camp life with his buddies. He loved re-telling every story from every buck he shot over the years.

The most important thing in Wilbur's life was his family. He had fun with his many nieces and nephews before having his own two daughters, Karla and Rita, and was proud to finally earn the title of Opie at the age of 72. His two grandchildren Craig and Lauren were the joys of his later years. He loved feeding them ice cream, walking to check the cows, and drinking Pepsi-Cola with them.

Wilbur is preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Alma Friesenhahn; brothers, Elton, Mathew, and Melvin; sister, Lydia Krizek.

Wilbur is survived by his wife Bernice Scheel Friesenhahn; daughters, Karla Friesenhahn, Rita Friesenhahn Jonas and husband, Michael; grandchildren, Craig and Lauren Jonas; brother, Clifford (Marlene) Friesenhahn; sisters-in-law, Irene Friesenhahn and Sarah Friesenhahn, Alice (Clarence) Dolle, Angeline (Arnold) Moos, Jeanette (J.T.) Mooney, Gladys (Ralph) Haecker, Joan (Claude) Mayer, Madelyn (James) Shodrok, Deborah (Charles) Real, Joyce Scheel; brothers-in-law, Clarence (Jean) Scheel, and Harvey Scheel; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Selma, Texas 6:30 PM-7:30 PM with a Rosary to be recited at 7:30 PM. A Mass will be celebrated Monday, December 11, 2017 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Selma, Texas at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at OLPH Selma Cemetery #2. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Wilbur's memory to the OLPH School Endowment Fund or the Alzheimer's Association.

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Interment to follow at OLPH Selma Cemetery #2

Sunday, December 10, 2017 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 16075 N Evans Rd Selma, Texas 78154

Sunday, December 10, 2017 07:30 PM

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 16075 N Evans Rd Selma, Texas 78154

Monday, December 11, 2017 10:00 AM

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 16075 N Evans Rd Selma, Texas 78154

Interment to follow at OLPH Selma Cemetery #2